2023 Acura MDX vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport offered seating for five, while the L trim provided a three-row, 7-passenger option. The 2022 model continued the modern and sporty design introduced in its 2020 facelift, featuring a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Among its competitors, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling, characterized by razor-sharp character lines and angular features that balanced eye-catching design with careful restraint.

The F Sport trim was the most athletic in appearance, featuring 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The interior of the RX maintained a luxury appeal across all trims, with the F Sport adding sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. Despite the high-quality feel of the materials, the center stack felt dated due to an abundance of buttons. Comfort was a mixed bag, with the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim being less cushioned and lacking adjustable lumbar support.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S, available in standard and Advance trims, set a different expectation for quality, luxury, and driving dynamism. The Type S featured subtle exterior modifications, including chicane-design LED running lights, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. Inside, the Type S Advance trim added perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made some controls difficult to use, and the electronic transmission switchgear was confusing.

The MDX Type S aimed to transform the already enjoyable MDX into a thrill ride with performance enhancements like a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, adaptive air suspension, and larger brake rotors. However, the performance upgrades did not gel into a cohesive whole, resulting in an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience, making it less predictable and harder to trust when driving with enthusiasm.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two electric motors for a total of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with AWD. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked true sporty performance, with an engine note closer to a turbocharged four-cylinder and unimpressive acceleration.

The F Sport trim included front and rear performance dampers, an adaptive variable suspension, and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. However, the drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+—did not significantly change the driving dynamics. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and isolating road noise. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The MDX Type S included performance enhancements like a solid front suspension stabilizer bar, Electro-Servo brake system, and larger front brake rotors. However, the performance upgrades did not create a cohesive driving experience, with issues like an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation.

The MDX Type S offered driving modes including Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite these features, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a predictable and enjoyable driving experience. Fuel economy was disappointing, with an average of 16.9 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA rating of 19 mpg combined.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the two-row version, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models had a tight squeeze for anything but groceries, with a standard 2/3/2 seating configuration. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The three-row models had only 7.45 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats upright, increasing to 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows folded. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats with a choice of two or three second-row seating positions. The Type S Advance trim included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, wrapped in quilted leather upholstery. The second-row seat could slide forward and back for third-row access, but the third row was best suited for children. The MDX's cargo area provided 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The MDX featured a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function and hooks for holding plastic grocery bags.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. The touchscreens were moved 5.5 inches closer to the driver in the 2020 refresh, but the positioning was still ergonomically unfriendly. The infotainment system included voice commands and a touchpad, both of which were frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio systems.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated via a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design was not user-friendly, requiring hand-eye coordination and robbing the center console of storage space. The MDX included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, and AcuraLink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) showing navigation instructions, driving assistance status, and current vehicle speed.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, a suite of safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact protection.